Ferrari 488 Compared to the McLaren 720s

I read the other day that ONE of there reasons there are no more manual "super cars" is because the clutch would not be able hold the power and torque. But going with hydraulic movement they can have stronger pressure plates and clutches. And, the precision of the opening and locking of the clutch creates minimum slip that a human would probably never be able to duplicate over time.

So, blame the "power wars" for also being part of the lack of manual problem.

 

There's still a waiting list for a 488, even with Ferrari increasing production? Out of curiosity, what is the typical wait time in the USA?

I picked up my new 488 in mid-April, process was painless and smooth... hence why the wait list at this late in the game is a bit of a shock to me.

 

You overlook the fact this is a British car. Hot sunny days are rare in the UK. OTOH, Vitamin D deficiency is a real issue in Northern Europe, where the money is. That's also probably where most of the 1st round of cars are going.

 

Best to have some air space between the glass and the actual screen else the heat transfer has nowhere to go other than into you. Whilst there is that level of glass with no proper insulation the problem will remain I'm afraid, UV protection or not. Up in the arctic circle it may work well.

True true lol. Bespoke as it all looks, may also answer for the quirky alien design cues.

 

I was told 12 months back in late February. A couple weeks ago, the general manager assured me Q1 2018, I would have my GTB.

 

Dear Lord... are you a prior customer or have any history with this dealer?

With a few of them sitting on dealer lots, probably from people that traded for a Spider, I just find it hard to see why the reason for such a long wait, given increased production too.

My dealer has 2 of them, one black and another white with a blue interior, that have been sitting inside the showroom for months now... Initial reviews of the 720S didn't seem to be very favorable either. Sat in a 570S and although it's a great car, it had no soul/character and that seems to be the overall feeling of the 720S too.

 

A good prior customer who trades back the new ones ordered from them. I have been told similar time frames in Florida where my condo is located.

 

Move to Nevada.

 

Too hot in the summer! What are your wait times?

 

Last I checked it was "less than" what you're quoting. But, you never know. FNA changes the quotas around all the time. You have to take these with a grain of salt.

For sure I got a 458 and 458 spider MUCH faster than out of CA. Much. And, your trade value is 100% deductible from the sales tax in Nevada.

 

Same in Maryland, my 488 was placed and I received the car in 3.5 months. I only had 1 prior ownership with them... I had a special arrangement given because of a big competitor of Ferrari, which had a major part in my wait time. Still can't believe people wait that long this late in the model cycle.

 

The 720S is a masterpiece and it'll definitely be in my future once it enters my ideal price range of ~220k. I'm not even considering the 488 as it just doesn't trigger the same emotional reaction that the 458 does. I feel that the 488 lacks the soul and character that the 458 has. Ferrari felt it was necessary to venture into the forced induction world and add weird vents and door handles. Even after all that, it's not as good as a McLaren 720S, based on what I've seen.

The 458 has a timeless design that I don't think will be dated for many years to come. It's timeless like the Aston Martin DBS, which I would buy again before buying a Vanquish.

 

Pretty much sums it up for me to. However I would add that there's just "too much" going on with the design and it gives me a headache.

 

I agree with what mayor said but still fine with it; for 300k it needs to be different. Takes a lot for a car to give me a headache, as long as it drives well. The interior is nice, and quite honestly the exterior is interesting to say the least. The weird part is there is actually less "going on" than other cars that most folks are perfectly fine with.

 

This is everything!

Best post.

 

Not true. I was offered the chance to place an order just last week. They still have some allocations available. Not sure how many but if it's sold out, it's a fake sold out.

 

Ordered 14 months ago and still waiting for spider. Built over two months ago and no word. As if not a person in ferrari can track where a product is in their company. Feel so special.

 

i'm sure if you pushed it you would get a location even if it is still on a boat or in a docking container.

 

No you wont -

 

Most likely 'fake sold out'...to dealers.

They are producing some 'launch' cars that have pretty overblown specs on them. Those may be 'sold out'. Rest assured you want a 720 you can have one.

I fall into the ugly camp. Fast (maybe as they still don't have track numbers--weird) but I just don't think this car looks good at all.

 

I also was able to get an October production date for a 720. I was about to pull the trigger, but got my 488 Spider allocation confirmed so backed out of the 720.

 

The glass roof is an extra-cost option. They're not glass by default.

 

Im trying hard to like the car but seeing where the 650 prices are for a 2 year old car (sub 190k for a 2015) Im gonna hold off and maybe get one in a few years when the 720 tanks. As excited as I was about this car, I cant get myself to pull the trigger. Ill stick with my 488 for now which I absolutely love.

 

Probably best not to compare it to a 2-year old coupe that's out of production. A 2015 650S has depreciated a lot, but so have a 2015 458 or a 2015 F12. 2 years old early in the cycle is much different than 2 years old late in the cycle.

720S will probably depreciate $75K in two years IMO. 570S residuals have done well, so have 675LT, so I think 720S continues to do half way decent. At the end of the day though, a $350K car depreciates a lot.

 

I actually spoke to a dealer whom I trust and asked if they ordered any "spec" cars and he said no, Mclaren is not allowing dealers to buy 720s (at present) for inventory, so I believe the "sold out" is legit.

MB